1. This Gilded Age gem was once home to a top banker turned diplomat.
Photos via Lila Delman Real Estate

Verner Z. Reed Jr., the Vice President of the Chase Manhattan Bank and later the U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, enlisted British architect William Mackenzie to design this Gilded Age masterpiece in the 1930s. Built to compliment the curve of the Newport coast, the crescent shaped “cottage” offers ocean views from every living space. Nicknamed the “Hurricane Hut,” a reference to the numerous storms the residence has weathered over the years, the estate features sturdy rubble-stone construction with limestone quoins and a slate roof. Set behind a private gated entrance on nine acres, the eight-bedroom mansion spans 15,851 square feet and features gracious interiors awash in original details, including a main salon and formal dining room with Louis XVI touches, a grand staircase featuring Directoire-style wrought-iron railings, and French doors leading from the main salon to the enclosed seaside loggia. In addition to the main house, the estate boasts an  ocean-facing pool, a carriage house, expansive terraces, a walled garden, a tennis court, a six-car garage and a private beach. This seaside stunner is listed for $19 million. Click here to view the full listing.

2. Beautifully designed and boasting a prime location, this Beverly Hills home is as good as it gets.
Photos via Crosby Doe Associates

This futuristic abode is uniquely sited on a ridge overlooking the Beverly Hills canyons, providing views of both the surrounding mountains and the ocean. Designed by Zoltan Pali of Culver City’s SPF:architects in 2010, the sleek and chic residence spans 4,700 square feet and features four bright and airy bedrooms and walls of glass that effortlessly unite the home’s spectacular indoor and outdoor spaces. Inspired by the thoughtful spareness of Japanese design, this hillside residence, which carries a $8.5 million price tag, proves that simplicity can make quite a bold statement. Click here to view the full listing.

 3. Spectacular modern renovation of 300-year-old Engadin house near St. Moritz.
Photos via Sotheby's International Realty

This stunning 300-year-old residence near the alpine resort town of St. Moritz, Switzerland, underwent a comprehensive restoration that put a modern spin on its classic Engadin-style aesthetic. The warm and inviting home features original floors and roof structures as well as an array of contemporary amenities, including top-of-the-line appliances, a home theater, a spa, a wine cellar and high-end designer furnishings. Outside, the abode features a garden and terrace that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. This Swiss retreat is listed for $13.16 million. Click here to view the full listing.

4. This castle overlooking Lake George is truly what dreams are made of.

Photos via Sotheby's International Realty

The owner of this magical estate set out to build a castle for his young son in 1978, a plan that took over six years to bring to fruition. Set on 8.7 lush acres, the secluded 6,000-square-foot residence was hand-crafted using over 800 tons of stone and is awash in beautiful decorative elements, including  stained glass doors and owner-commissioned woodworking. The home’s grand interiors include a Great Hall with two balconies and 25-foot high beamed ceilings complimented by full-length floor-to-ceiling windows; a sumptuous master suite with a two-story tower sitting area; and a hidden stairway that leads to a lower level complete with secret passageways and faux-bookshelves. The flooring throughout the castle is a combination of solid oak, travertine and natural flagstone and all doors and cabinets are solid oak. In addition to the commanding main house, the property includes a Carriage House and a Gatehouse, which can both serve as guest quarters. This one-of-a-kind property carries a $12.8 million price tag. Click here to view the full listing.    

5. This mid-century pad brings Palm Springs Modernism to Miami.
Photos via Keller Williams Realty

This stylish Miami home looks as though it was plucked right from Palm Springs’ mid-century modern landscape and placed along the Biscayne Bay. Built in 1964, the massive 19,500-square-foot, four bedroom home boasts soaring tray ceilings, rosewood floors with ebony borders and a contemporary double cooks kitchen. The residence, which has appeared in the pages of Elle Decor, features a unique layout that wraps around a private courtyard complete with a heated pool. The modern Miami gem is on the market for $1.85 million. Click here to view the full listing.